Last week after attending the Independent Regulatory Review Commission about the new provisions of our new Dog Law (Act 119) in Harrisburg, I drove a few blocks to see Tamira (Tami) Ci Thayne of Dogs Deserve Better.
Tami, a former guest on my show and fellow animal advocate colleague, is chained to a dog house on the Capitol steps to gain attention of legislation (SB 1435) that had been promised to her to help tethered dogs in PA.
Tami is chained to this dog house 8 AM-6PM Monday-Friday to show her support for chained dogs. Tami has been working diligently for six years – SIX YEARS- to get legislation passed that would prohibit a dog from being chained 24/7.
Tami is a fierce and tireless animal advocate for chained dogs. When she and I did a radio program earlier this year, she had told me that legislation would be introduced very shortly. That never materialized. This was not due to a lack of Tami’s devoted attention to this cause. It was “politics”as defined by me.
So Tami searched her heart of what to do to help these dogs. She told me she read about another person completing a similar feat. And Tami knew what she was to do help these dogs. She knows she could be doing other things at this very moment but this is where she feels she needs to be.
She has met some , let’s say, interesting folks on the steps. Some have shown interest while others think it’s ridiculous to care this much about animals. Some- well, we’ll just say they were a bit strange. One man approached us while I was there. He thought she worked in the media since I had a camera around my neck and thought she could get his story out into the media. Now, remember, she has a dog chain around her neck , attached to a dog house (as the picture I had taken clearly depicts). Like I said, interesting folks. Those interesting folks also make her day go by more quickly.
Now imagine a dog chained to a dog house with NO ONE socializing with him/her!
She told me she plans to stay out there until September day after day. She does go home on weekends.
Tami, if you’re reading this, it was great seeing you again. You are one dedicated animal advocate for chained dogs. You have many supporters behind you even though you spend a large time alone during the day. Don’t forget that. You are making a difference and time will prove that. Keep doing what you’re doing and stay strong!
If you want to help Tami and get this legislation passed, click on the link above.